Month: January 2009

GET VACCINATED

State urges parents to ensure Hib vaccination

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota health officials are urging parents to make sure their infants are fully vaccinated against a bacterial infection known as HiB.

The caution comes after what officials say was a jump in cases in 2008. Five cases were reported. Health officials said Friday that three of those, including one death, came in children who hadn’t been immunized.

HiB is Haemophilus influenza type B. Minnesota epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield says the state hasn’t seen as many cases in young children since 1992.

The Health Department says a national shortage of the vaccine has existed since late 2007 and is expected to last until this summer. The department says that skipping the final booster shot in the vaccine series, as some groups have recommended to extend the supply, may be contributing to the jump in cases.

Lynfield says the disease can lead to severe illness, including meningitis and death.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

I know there is an ongoing and very heated debate about this… here is my opinion. There is no “real” proof that vaccinations cause autism. There IS proof that vaccinations can keep your babies and children from contracting these DEADLY DISEASES. While autism is extremely tough and scary and I have no doubts of the challenges that exist in raising a child with autism, I would rather have an autistic child than a dead one.

My nephew contracted meningitis when he was a mere 3 weeks old. He nearly died- coding several times. He was at Children’s Hospital for close to a month. How did he contract this deadly illness? My sister’s doctor said she didn’t need to be tested for Group B Strep. Since she was having a c-section there would be no need. Lessons learned, she still passed it on to her baby. I know, a little off the topic, but I have seen how dangerous meningitis is in infants. Protect your children. Get them vaccinated.

Under Construction

I get very easily bored with the look of my blog… It is currently under construction. Stay tuned…

Loving Life

Last night, I had my girlfriends over for dinner. We called it the Poor Girl’s Happy Hour because nobody can really afford to actually go out and drink. It turned out to be a wonderful time and they got a chance to ooo and ahhh over Jack and how big he’s gotten. During our conversations, I sat back and reflected on how much my life has changed. I looked around my strange new house and how it represented my new life. I realized that this is everything I ever dreamed of. I live in my dream house, with my dream husband and my dream baby. I don’t go out anymore, but I don’t care. The relationships I have with my friends are cherished with every fiber of my being because of how precious and little our time now is together and how much we truly have been through together. My job is more fulfilling- I’m here because I want to be here and not because I have to which is a completely odd feeling. For the first time maybe ever, I’m excited about what I do and what the future holds for me. Most importantly. I never thought I could love someone so much they way I love my Baby Jack. His smile warms my heart and I can’t wait to get to know him as he grows up.

On another note, the only part of life I am NOT loving is getting back to my pre-baby body. The dieting part, while not easy, is doable. I’ve done it before, I will do it again. It’s hard though after so many pregnancy indulgences to change my mindset back to healthy eating and the way I was before. Getting back into the Weight Watchers groove has NOT been easy and I’m struggling. DH and I are joining Snap Fitness together- I’m happy that he is recognizing that this is a joint effort and can support each other. I’m sort of excited to get back into the gym- I know it will make a huge difference. I will miss my group fitness classes though… I just know that I don’t have the time and the extra money it costs to be at a gym that has them is not worth it. Perhaps I’ll try and find something in the community should I ever get the craving for a good step class. Bottom line, is I’m ready to make some healthy changes and get back into the majority of my clothes again. MILF here I come!

Busy Beavers

My goodness. The last few weeks have been an absolute whirlwind- thus my lack of blogging.

On January 4th, we celebrated Jack’s Holy Baptism. For the most part, it really was an absolutely fabulous day. Our families (extended) were there and a handful of friends. I just couldn’t get over all the love for my little boy. He’s so incredibly lucky and blessed to be surrounded by so many people that love him.

Well, Jack is officially in daycare now and I am back to work. It is strange- my heart aches to be with my baby, but at the same time, it is nice to be back to using my brain for something other than perfecting my Elmo impersonation. Jack is really having a blast there though- he has more toys and attention than he knows what to do with and is exhausted at the end of the day. Unfortunately with daycare though comes daycare germs. Jack came home a week and a half ago with diarrhea. BAD diarrhea 🙁 I felt so bad for the little guy. Only yesterday did we FINALLY feel like we had our baby back and he was good ol’ happy, smiling sweet Jack. He had his 4 month checkup a week ago and his pedi says he is a happy, healthy baby (minus the little stomach bug). He’s tiny- in only the 1oth percentile for his weight @ 12lbs 13oz. He’s grown though- he’s now 23 inches long and growing out of a lot of his 3 month clothes pretty quickly. His head is in the 50th percentile. Thanks daddy! LOL! DH and I both caught Jack’s tummy bug and had to take a day off from work to rest. It was HORRIBLE so I can’t even imagine how our little baby felt! I really do miss Jack all day though and when I get home, I admittedly spoil him rotten with all the cuddling. Just when I thought my heart couldn’t hold anymore love for him…

On this extended MLK weekend, we are finally ALONE. It is literally our first weekend without guests or plans since THANKSGIVING and we are absolutely soaking it up. We’ve been sick, just had a crazy holiday schedule and wanted some family alone time. Is that too much to ask? I’m just tired of it. Tired of catering to everyone else. It is time DH and I put our family first.